Journal article
Assessing the effects of swimming net material on populations of an endangered seahorse
Marine and freshwater research, Vol.72(6), pp.800-810
16/12/2020
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Abstract
The endangered seahorse Hippocampus whitei has declined in abundance as a result of natural habitat loss, and inhabits copper-braided protective swimming nets in Sydney Harbour, Australia. This study tested whether the use of copper-free seahorse-friendly net material has any effect on populations of H. whitei. The effects of net material on seahorse density and population abundance, as well as the effects on fouling epibiota and the abundance of epifaunal seahorse prey, were tested on pre-existing swimming nets as well as installed panels of each net material type. Material type had no effect on the density or population abundance of seahorses on pre-existing or installed panels of swimming net, with no difference in fouling epibiotic growth or mobile epifauna. Because seahorse-friendly nets were not worse than standard nets in these respects, it is recommended that managers take a precautionary approach and deploy nets of seahorse-friendly material to minimise anthropogenic copper entering coastal systems.
Details
- Title
- Assessing the effects of swimming net material on populations of an endangered seahorse
- Creators
- Michael Simpson - University of SydneyRebecca L. Morris - University of MelbourneDavid Harasti - NSW Department of Primary IndustriesRoss A. Coleman - University of Sydney
- Publication Details
- Marine and freshwater research, Vol.72(6), pp.800-810
- Publisher
- Csiro Publishing
- Number of pages
- 11
- Grant note
- 2016/1066 / Sydney University Ethics Committee
- Identifiers
- 991013127410002368
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article